Relay modules for communication within a mesh network

ABSTRACT

The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods for relaying data. An exemplary device includes a relay module comprising: a mast having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a cavity; an antenna disposed within the cavity; and a mounting device coupled to the mast and engageable with a utility structure.

REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Application No.61/636,611, filed Apr. 20, 2012, which is hereby specificallyincorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure generally relates to mesh networks, and moreparticularly relates to devices for relaying signals within a meshnetwork.

BACKGROUND

Typically, utility meters (e.g., gas meters, water meters, andelectricity meters) are read manually by meter readers who are employeesor contractors of the various utility providers. Manual meter readingrepresents a significant cost to a typical utility provider. With theadvent of wireless technology including mesh networking, utilityproviders have sought methods and systems for remote reading of watermeters and/or remote control of water supply valves.

Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI), Advanced Meter Reading (AMR), orAdvanced Metering Management (AMM) are systems that measure, collect,and analyze utility data using advanced metering devices such as watermeters, gas meters, and electricity meters. The advanced meteringdevices combine internal data measurements with continuously availableremote communications, enabling the metering devices to transmit andreceive data through the AMI, AMR, and/or AMM network. In a typicalconfiguration, an advanced metering device, such as an advanced watermeter, measures and collects usage data, such as water usage data, at acustomer's location. The metering device then uses a built-incommunication interface to transmit data to a parent node up thenetwork, sometimes in response to the parent's request for suchinformation or on a predefined schedule, such as once a day. In thisway, utility providers may remotely “read” customer usage data forbilling purposes.

SUMMARY

The present disclosure relates to devices, systems, and methods forrelaying data. An exemplary device includes a relay module comprising: amast having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surfacedefining a cavity; an antenna disposed within the cavity; and a mountingdevice coupled to the mast and engageable with a utility structure.

Also included is a relay module system including a utility structure; amast having an inner surface and an outer surface, the inner surfacedefining a cavity; an RF circuit including an antenna, the antennadisposed within the cavity of the mast; and a mounting device fasteningthe mast to the utility structure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The features and components of the following figures are illustrated toemphasize the general principles of the present disclosure.Corresponding features and components throughout the figures may bedesignated by matching reference characters for the sake of consistencyand clarity.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a mesh network, according to variousimplementations of the present disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an embodiment of a relay module mounted on afire hydrant, according to various implementations of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the embodiment of the relay module mounted onthe fire hydrant of FIG. 2.

FIG. 4 is a bottom view of the embodiment of the relay module mounted onthe fire hydrant of FIG. 2.

FIG. 5 is a sectional view of the embodiment of the relay module of FIG.2.

FIG. 6 is a second sectional view of the embodiment of the relay moduleof FIG. 2.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the embodiment of the relay module of FIG. 2.

FIG. 8 is a third sectional view of the embodiment of the relay moduleof FIG. 2.

FIG. 9 is a fourth sectional view of the embodiment of the relay moduleof FIG. 2.

FIG. 10 is a fifth sectional view of the embodiment of the relay moduleof FIG. 2.

FIG. 11 is a diagram of a second embodiment of a relay module attachedto a fire hydrant, according to various implementations of the presentdisclosure.

FIG. 12 is a sectional view of the embodiment of the relay module ofFIG. 7.

FIG. 13 is a circuit diagram of the relay module of FIG. 2.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The present disclosure describes systems and methods for wirelesslytransmitting meter data from a plurality of nodes to a central location(e.g., a central office of a utility company). Existing AdvancedMetering Infrastructure (AMI) deployments rely on and utilize meshnetworks and mesh networking devices to transmit and to receive databetween nodes within the utility provider's network. Many of thesedevices employ frequency-hopping spread spectrum (FHSS) technology incompliance with Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules andregulations part 15 (47 C.F.R. §15). FHSS is a method of transmittingand receiving radio signals by rapidly switching among many frequencychannels using a pseudorandom channel sequence known to both thetransmitting and receiving devices.

Because of the remote placement nature of some advanced meteringdevices, it is desired to extend the range of the advanced meteringdevices by providing repeaters throughout the geographic area of themesh network. In this way, the mesh network's range can be easily andinexpensively broadened while increasing communicative reliability. Inaddition, stand-alone repeaters are necessary when there are no otheradvanced metering devices within the range of the advanced meteringdevice that have the capacity to act as a repeater. Further, a meshnetwork allows for multiple communication paths in case of a node orrepeater failure.

While the present disclosure relates to mesh networking, the presentdisclosure may be utilized in other types of networking environments,such as point-to-point FHSS networks as well, as those having ordinaryskill in the art will recognize.

Utility companies must periodically determine customer usage by takingmeter readings. To facilitate this process and to reduce costs to theutility companies, utility meters in the present disclosure may transmitusage data wirelessly through a network, such as a mesh network, back tothe utility provider. In various embodiments, this may include acollection unit or repeater polling the individual advanced meterdevices, optionally at specific times, or the advanced metering devicespushing their data automatically back to the utility provider, alsooptionally at specific times.

FIG. 1 is a block diagram illustrating an embodiment of an AMI meshnetwork 10. The AMI mesh network 10 includes a utility provider 12, aplurality of relay modules 14 (shown as circles), and a plurality ofmeters 16 (shown as dots). The utility provider 12 may also includecollector units. The configuration of the utility provider 12, relaymodules 14, and meters 16 in FIG. 1 is merely one example and should notbe seen as limiting; numerous other configurations may be used and maybe otherwise advantageous. As such, the elements of FIG. 1 may bearranged in alternative configurations with any number of utilityproviders 12, relay modules 14, and meters 16. Additionally, meters 16may be one or more of water meters, gas meters, electricity meters,etc., or may be other types of appliances. Further, meters 16 may alsoserve as relay modules 14, meaning that the meters 16 and the relaymodules 14 may provided as a single unit.

The dashed lines of FIG. 1 represent wireless communication linksbetween the meters 16 and respective relay modules 14. Meter data may betransmitted wirelessly from the respective meter 16 to an associatedrelay module 14 or from the respective meter 16 to another associatedmeter 16. The solid lines between one relay module 14 and anotherrepresents wireless or wired communication among the relay modules 14for transmitting the meter data. The solid lines between the relaymodules 14 and the utility provider 12 represent additional wireless orwired communication links for communicating the meter data to theutility provider 12, such as through the collector units of the utilityprovider 12. The arrangement of communication links among the elementsof the FIG. 1 is also exemplary and may be configured in alternativearrangements. For example, all of the communication links may be eitherwired or wireless or any combination thereof. Communication may beactive during some periods of time and may be inactive during otherperiods of time, depending on when meter data is intended to be sent tothe utility provider 12.

The meters 16 of FIG. 1 may be configured to detect any parameter asneeded. For example, the meters 16 may detect a parameter associatedwith the utility provider 12. The meters 16, for instance, may detectwater usage, gas usage, electricity usage, or other data, eitherquantitative or qualitative. Each meter 16 may be installed on acustomer's premises, such as attached to an outside or inside surface ofa house on the premises or near the street in front of the customer'shouse.

The relay modules 14 may be configured to receive data from theproximate meters 16 and relay the data to the utility provider 12, suchas through the collector units of the utility provider 12. The relaymodules 14 may be connected to public or government property in thevicinity of the meters 16 from which they are intended to receive meterdata. The public or government property may include property or assetsassociated with a state or local government, such as a department ofmotor vehicles. In this regard, the property may include traffic signsor poles, traffic control equipment, etc. The property may also includeproperty or assets associated with one or more utility companies, suchas a gas company, electric company, water company, etc. In this regard,the property may include fire hydrants, telephone poles, lamp posts,electrical transformer cabinets, etc. Alternatively, the property mayinclude property or assets associated with one or more private parties.Therefore, the relay modules 14 may be attached in any suitable mannerto property or assets that may be positioned in strategic locations. Forexample, the relay modules 14 may be able to more easily receive meterdata from meters 16 when positioned near the transmitting meters 16,such as on a fire hydrant near the residences associated with thetransmitting meters 16.

FIG. 2 shows one embodiment of a relay module 14 mounted on a firehydrant 20. The fire hydrant 20 includes a hydrant body 21 and a bonnet22. The bonnet 22 may include a plurality of bonnet fastener holes 35a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h (not shown). The hydrant body 21 may include a pluralityof hydrant body fastener holes 36 a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h (not shown). Thehydrant body 21 may be coupled to the bonnet 22 by a plurality ofadjustably tightenable fasteners 23 a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h (23 f,g,h shown inFIG. 3) disposed within the plurality of bonnet fastener holes 35a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h and the plurality of hydrant body fastener holes 36a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h. The bonnet 22 may alternatively be coupled to thehydrant body 21 by any known method, such as a bayonet connector or asingle nut. Each adjustably tightenable fastener 23 a,b,c,d,e,f,g,hincludes a bolt 24 a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h (24 f,g,h shown in FIG. 3) and a nut25 a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h (25 f,g,h not shown) fastening the bonnet to thehydrant body 21 when each nut 25 a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h is tightened onto eachbolt 24 a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h. An operating nut 26 is disposed at the top ofthe bonnet 22.

The relay module 14 is mounted on the fire hydrant 20 by a mountingdevice. In the current embodiment, the mounting device is a mountingbracket 51, although the relay module 14 may be mounted on the firehydrant 20 using any suitable type of mounting device, such as a strap,clamp, magnet, key fit arrangement, and fasteners, among others. Forexample, in embodiments of the fire hydrant 20 in which the bonnet 22 iscoupled to the hydrant body 21 by a means other than adjustablytightenable fasteners 23 a,b,c,d,e,f,g, the mounting device may be astainless steel strap enwrapping the hydrant body 21. Optionally, themounting device for mounting the relay module 14 to the fire hydrant 20may be tamper-resistant. In one embodiment, the mounting bracket 51includes a mounting fastener hole 61 (shown in FIG. 6). One of thebolts, for example bolt 24 a, extends through the mounting fastener hole61, securing the mounting bracket 51 in place when one of the nuts, suchas nut 25 a, is tightened on the bolt, such as bolt 24 a, extendingthrough the mounting fastener hole 61. The mounting fastener hole 61 maybe sized to be larger than the stem of the bolt 24 but smaller than thewidth of the nut 25. The relay module 14, as described in more detailbelow, may also include a radio housing 27, a spring 28, an antenna 80(shown in FIG. 8), and a mast 52.

FIG. 3 shows a top view of fire hydrant 20 and relay module 14. In oneembodiment, the fire hydrant 20 includes eight bonnet fastener holes 35a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h, eight hydrant body fastener holes 36 a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h,and eight adjustably tightenable fasteners 23 a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h, includingeight bolts 24 a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h and eight nuts 25 a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h (notshown), although a different amount of fasteners and fastener holes,including no fasteners and no fastener holes, may be included in otherembodiments. The mast 52 is removed in this view, showing an RFconnector 31 and an upper spring insert 32 disposed within the spring28. The RF connector attaches to the antenna 80 through a wiredconnection 81 (shown in FIG. 9). The wired connection 81 may be acoaxial cable.

FIG. 4 shows a bottom view of the fire hydrant 20 and relay module 14,with the bottom of the radio housing 27 removed to show the housinginterior 40 of the radio housing 27. The housing interior 40 holdscomponents of the relay module 14. These components may includebatteries, circuit boards, capacitors, memory storage, etc. In thecurrent embodiment, the components include a circuit board 41, aplurality of batteries 42 a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h, and a plurality of capacitors43 a,b (43 c,d not shown). In one embodiment, there are eight batteries42 a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h and four capacitors 43 a,b,c,d, though a differentnumber of batteries 42 and capacitors 43 may be used in otherembodiments, including no batteries 42 or no capacitors 43. A secondwired connection 82 is shown running from the RF connector 31 to thecircuit board 41. The second wired connection 82 may be a coaxial cable.The circuit board 41, batteries 42, capacitors 43, RF connector 31, andantenna 80 form an RF circuit 200, as described in more detail below,though other circuits may be used in other embodiments. The RF connector31 and a lower spring insert 53 are also shown through an access hole 44in the top of the radio housing 27.

FIG. 5 shows a side view of the relay module 14. FIG. 5 shows the radiohousing 27, the spring 28, the mounting bracket 51, the mast 52, theupper spring insert 32, and the lower spring insert 53, as well as a jamnut 54. The spring 28 includes an upper section 55, a middle section 56,and a lower section 57. In one embodiment, the upper section 55 and thelower section 57 each have a diameter equal to each other and the middlesection 56 has a diameter greater than the diameters of the uppersection 55 and the lower section 57. In other embodiments, the uppersection 55, middle section 56, and lower section 57 may have equaldiameters or any other combination of diameters. Additionally, in otherembodiments, the relay module 14 may lack one, a combination of, or allof the radio housing 27, spring 28, upper spring insert 32, lower springinsert 53, or jam nut 54.

FIG. 6 shows a cross-sectional view of the relay module 14 of FIG. 5.FIG. 6 shows the radio housing 27, the spring 28, the mounting bracket51, the mast 52, the upper spring insert 32, the lower spring insert 53,the jam nut 54, the RF connector 31, the wired connection 81, the secondwired connection 82 and batteries 42 c,g. The mounting fastener hole 61of the mounting bracket 51 is also shown. A cross-section of the mast 52is also shown. The mast 52 includes an inner surface 52 a forming acavity 52 b. The cavity 52 b is sized to accept and surround the antenna80 (shown in FIG. 8) and the wired connection 81. The cavity 52 b alsoends at the bottom of the mast 52 in a lower opening 52 c to allow thewired connection 81 between the RF connector 31 and the antenna 80. Themast 52 also includes a coupling portion 52 d designed to engage acoupling portion 32 c of the upper spring insert 32 to couple the mast52 to the upper spring insert 32. In one embodiment, the couplingportion 52 d of the mast 52 is coupled to the coupling portion 32 c ofthe upper spring insert 32 by gluing or bonding, such as with a urethaneadhesive. The mast 52 also includes an outer surface 52 e, which may bereflective in some embodiments to allow for easier location of the firehydrant 20. Optionally, mast 52 may be configured to include one or morelights to aid in visual detection of the fire hydrant 20.

The upper spring insert 32 includes an upper portion 32 a and a lowerportion 32 b. The lower portion 32 b is disposed within the uppersection 55 of the spring 28, while the upper portion 32 a is disposedoutside of the spring 28. The lower portion 32 b engages the uppersection 55 of the spring 28 and couples the upper spring insert 32 tothe spring 28. In one embodiment, the spring 28 is press-fitted into theupper spring insert 32, meaning the lower portion 32 b of the upperspring insert 32 has an outer diameter larger than an inner diameter ofthe upper section 55 of the spring 28. Thus, when the upper springinsert 32 is inserted into the spring 28, the upper section 55 enwrapsand holds the lower portion 32 b, holding the upper spring insert 32 andthe mast 52 in place. A shoulder 32 f interacts with the spring 28 andacts as a stop to prevent the upper portion 32 a from entering thespring 28. The upper spring insert 32 has a cavity 32 g sized to acceptthe coupling portion 52 d of the mast 52. The cavity 32 g defines anupper opening 32 e and a lower opening 32 d, the lower opening 32 dsized to allow the wired connection 81 between the RF connector 31 andthe antenna 80.

The lower spring insert 53 includes an outer hex spring fastener 62 andan inner hex fastener 63. The outer hex spring fastener 62 has an upperportion 62 c and a lower portion 62 d, the upper portion 62 c disposedwithin the lower section 57 of the spring 28 and the lower portion 62 ddisposed outside of the spring 28. The upper portion 62 c includes innerthreads 62 b, the inner threads 62 b engaging outer threads 63 a of theinner hex fastener 63. The upper portion 62 c engages the lower section57 of the spring 28 and couples the lower spring insert 53 to the spring28. In one embodiment, the spring 28 is press-fitted into the lowerspring insert 53, meaning the upper portion 62 c of the lower springinsert 53 has an outer diameter larger than an inner diameter of thelower section 57 of the spring 28. Thus, when the lower spring insert 53is inserted into the spring 28, the lower section 57 enwraps and holdsthe upper portion 62 c, and the lower spring insert 53 thus holds thespring 28 in place. The lower portion 62 d includes an upper shoulder 62e interacting with the spring 28 and acts as a stop to prevent the lowerportion 62 d from entering the spring 28. The lower portion 62 d alsoincludes a lower shoulder 62 a interacting with the jam nut 54.

The inner hex fastener 63 includes an inner surface 63 f defining acavity 63 g sized to accept a second wired connection 82 between the RFconnector 31 and the circuit board 41 (shown in FIG. 4) in the radiohousing 27. The inner hex fastener 63 also includes an upper portion 63c and a lower portion 63 b. The upper portion 63 c includes the engagingouter threads 63 a as well as inner threads 63 d, the inner threads 63 dengaging threads 31 a of the RF connector 31 to secure the RF connector31 in place. The lower portion includes a shoulder 63 e interacting witha radio housing shoulder 64 in the radio housing 27 to hold the radiohousing 27 to the mounting bracket 51. In combination, the inner hexfastener 63, the outer hex spring fastener 62, and the jam nut 54 act inconcert to secure the radio housing 27, the spring 28, and the RFconnector 31 in place and mounted to the mounting bracket 51.

The wired connection 81 connects the antenna 80 to the RF connector 31and runs from the RF connector 31 through the spring 28 and the mast 52to the antenna 80. The wired connection 81 may include a male connector65 connecting the RF connector 31 to the wired connection 81. The secondwired connection 82 can also be seen running from the RF connector 31 tothe circuit board 41(shown in FIG. 4). The second wired connection 82may include a male connector 66 connecting the RF connector 31 to thesecond wired connection 82. In one embodiment, the wired connection 81may have a larger diameter than the second wired connection 82.

FIG. 7 shows a full side view of the relay module 14. In the currentembodiment, the mast 52 is tube-shaped and extends about two to fivefeet in length and about one inch in diameter, though other dimensionsand shapes may be present in other embodiments. The relay module alsoincludes a mast cap 70 at one distal end of the mast 52. In oneembodiment, the mast cap 70 is coupled to the mast 52 by gluing orbonding, such as with a urethane adhesive.

FIG. 8 shows another cross-sectional view of the relay module 14. Theantenna 80 can be seen within the mast 52. In one embodiment, the relaymodule 14 may include spacers (not shown), such as insulating-typespacers, positioned between the antenna 80 and the inner surface 52 a ofthe mast 52 to prevent contact between the antenna 80 and the mast 52.In one embodiment, the antenna 80 is held in place by the wiredconnection 81. For example, if the wired connection 81 is a coaxialcable, the stiffness of the coaxial cable may hold the antenna 80 inplace.

In one embodiment, the antenna 80 is a collinear antenna array, thoughother antennas may be used in other embodiments. In one embodiment, anexemplary antenna, such as antenna 80, may include a Laird Technologies®vertically polarized omni antenna, including model numbers OD9-5, OD9-6,OD9-8, OD9-11, and OD-11D1. As one having ordinary skill in the artwould recognize based on the present disclosure, it may be advantageousfor the antenna 80 to radiate primarily downward, or at least to focus amajority of its radiation pattern downward. As such, an antenna such asthe Laird Technologies® OD-11D1 may be preferable due to its down tiltradiation pattern. In one embodiment, the antenna 80 may be configuredsuch that its vertical azimuth is 360-degrees omnidirectional, while itshorizontal elevation plane is slightly downward, for example 1-degree.Of course, other configurations may be possible and/or preferabledepending on the specific nature and requirements of the deployment ofthe relay module 14.

FIG. 9 shows another cross-sectional view of the relay module 14,showing the antenna 80 and the wired connection 81 within the mast 52 infull.

FIG. 10 shows a bottom cross-sectional view of the radio housing 27. Thesecond wired connection 82 can be seen running from the RF connector 31to the circuit board 41. In one embodiment, the second wired connection82 is soldered at one end to the circuit board 41. The mounting bracket51 and the mounting fastener hole 61 can also be seen in this view. Inone embodiment, the radio housing 27 may be the mounting device and mayinclude a surface closely fitting an outer diameter of the hydrant body21 and a plurality of mounting fastener holes coupling the radio housingto the fire hydrant 20.

The circuit board 41, batteries 42 a,b,c,d,e,f,g,h, capacitors 43a,b,c,d, and part of the second wired connection 82, as well as anyother component situated within the radio housing 27 may be mounted inthe radio housing 27 by any conventional means. In one embodiment, thesecomponents may be potted in the radio housing 27, meaning that thecomponents are placed within the radio housing 27 and the radio housing27 is thereafter filled with an epoxy-type filler, such as a urethanecompound or a silicon compound.

FIG. 11 shows a second embodiment of a relay module 14′ mounted on afire hydrant 20′, with the fire hydrant 20′ in cross-sectional view. Thefire hydrant 20′ includes a hydrant body 21′ and a bonnet 22′ coupledtogether with a plurality of fasteners 23′ including bolts 24′ and nuts25′. The relay module 14′ includes radio housing 27′, an antenna 80′(not shown), and a mast 52′. The relay module 14′ also includes a spring28′ with an upper section 55′, a middle section 56′, and a lower section57′. In this embodiment, upper section 55′, the middle section 56′, andthe lower section 57′ all have diameters equal to each other. The relaymodule 14′ also includes a mounting bracket 51′ with a mounting fastenerhole 61′. In one embodiment, the bolts 24′ are too short to mount therelay module 14′ by the mounting bracket 51′ through the mountingfastener hole 61′. To solve this problem, one solution is to replace oneof the bolts 24′ with a replacement bolt 111′ with an equal diameter tothe bolts 24′ and a longer body than the bolts 24′ to allow the mountingbracket 51′ to mount to the fire hydrant 20′ through the mountingfastener hole 61.

FIG. 12 shows a cross-sectional view of the relay module 14′ of FIG. 11.As notated in FIG. 12, the spring 28′ may be a 1¼-inch inner diameter(ID) spring. The relay module 14′ also includes a lower spring insert53′ having a outer hex fastener 62′, an inner hex fastener 63′, and a RFconnector 31′. As notated in FIG. 12, the outer hex fastener 62′ and theinner hex fastener 63′ may be stock hex spring fasteners and may have,for example, a 0.570-inch female connection, and the RF connector 31′may be a standard, over-the-counter RF connector such as Amphenol partno. 122406.

FIG. 13 shows a circuitry diagram of the RF circuit 200. The relaymodule 14 of FIG. 2 may also include the RF circuit 200 to enable thedevice to communicate wirelessly with another device. The RF circuit 200of FIG. 13 includes the batteries 42, capacitors 43, the antenna 80, thecircuit board 41 and the RF connector 31. The batteries 42 andcapacitors 43 are connected in parallel to form a power supply 205. Inone embodiment, the batteries 42 and capacitors 43 are supplied ascompleted units. For example, the power supply 205 may be multiplepreassembled power units placed in parallel, each power unit includingfour batteries 42 and two capacitors 43 placed in parallel. Otherpreassembled power units with different combinations of batteries 42 andcapacitors 43 may also be used in various embodiments. The capacitors43, for example, may also be Hybrid Layer Capacitors (“HLCs”), which aremanufactured and sold by Tadiran Batteries Ltd. HLCs may be included inpower units, such as the power supply 205, with batteries, such asbatteries 42. The power supply 205 may also be a direct AC line power orsolar power, any other commonly-used power source, or any combination ofpower sources thereof.

The circuit board 41 includes at least one of a transceiver integratedcircuit (IC) 210, a microprocessor 220, an RF power amplifier 230, an RFlow noise amplifier 240, crystal oscillators 215, 225, atransmit/receive switch 260, and memory 250 (e.g., flash memory, RAM,ROM, etc.). The power supply 205, as needed, powers at least one of thetransceiver integrated circuit (IC) 210, the microprocessor 220, the RFpower amplifier 230, the RF low noise amplifier 240, and the memory 250(e.g., flash memory, RAM, ROM, etc.). The devices may include thecrystal oscillators 215, 225 connected to the transceiver IC 210 and themicroprocessor 220. Each device may also include the transmit/receiveswitch 260. A data line may connect the antenna 80 to thetransmit/receive switch 260.

Data received by the antenna 80 is fed into the RF low noise amplifier240 and then to the transceiver IC 210. The transceiver IC 210 isconnected to the microprocessor 220 and the RF power amplifier 230. Fortransmission, data may be sent to the antenna 80 and, thereby, toanother remotely located device. The RF circuit 200 of each device maybe configured on various radio topologies in various embodiments,including point-to-point, point-to-multipoint, mesh networking, andStar, among others. The RF circuit may be configured to communicate inmultiple topologies or in one of multiple topologies. In addition, oneof ordinary skill in the art would understand that the RF circuit 200may include any combination of elements described herein, or otherelements commonly used and understood in the art, necessary for the RFcircuit 200 to function to communicate wirelessly with another device.

In regions where dozens of inches of snowfall may accumulate, thelocations of fire hydrants are often marked by snow poles (also referredto as hydrant markers or simply markers). The mast 52 acts as a snowpole and extends up from the top of the fire hydrant 20, as shown inFIG. 2, such that when snow completely covers the fire hydrant 20, thelocation of the fire hydrant 20 may still be visually known by the mast52 sticking up through the snow. Then, when snowplows are deployed toclear the streets, the snowplow operators will be able to see the mast52 and visually know the location of the fire hydrant 20. The operatorswill then try to avoid a collision with the fire hydrant 20, therebyreducing destruction of the property. Further, in the event of anemergency, fire fighters may more easily identify and locate firehydrant 20 by spotting the snow pole. Because many snow poles mayalready exist in some regions, the relay modules 14 as described hereinmay be retrofitted into the existing snow poles.

The spring 28 and the mounting bracket 51 may also function to offsetthe relay module 14 from the fire hydrant 20 to allow use of the firehydrant 20. To turn on water flow through the fire hydrant 20, theoperating nut 26 is turned by a wrench to open a water valve inside thefire hydrant 20. The mounting bracket 51 mounts the relay module 14 anoffset distance away from the fire hydrant to allow the turning of thewrench on the operating nut 26. Further, the spring 28 may be flexed topull the mast 52, the antenna 80, and the wired connection 81 furtheraway from the fire hydrant 20 so that the wrench on the operating nut 26may be turned. In addition, the offset created by the mounting bracket51 also prevents the mast 52 from striking the fire hydrant 20 duringhigh wind or other weather conditions that may cause the spring 28 toflex, pushing the mast 52 towards the fire hydrant 20. This offsetserves to prevent damage to and disruption of the functioning of therelay module 14, including the mast 52, antenna 80, and wired connection81.

As suggested above, the relay modules 14 may be attached to otherutility structures, including other public or government property orassets. For example, the relay modules 14 may be supported by telephonepoles in neighborhoods where there are plenty of telephone poles. Therelay modules 14 may also be supported by road signs, such as stop signsor other traffic regulation signs. Also, many neighborhoods may haveseveral metallic transformer cabinets for providing electricity toindividual residences. In some embodiments, the relay modules 14 may beattached to a portion of the transformer cabinets. Many neighborhoodsmay also have several telephone junction boxes each servicing severalhomes. In some embodiments, the relay modules 14 may be attached to thetelephone junction boxes as well.

In other embodiments, the relay modules 14 may be installed on anystructure within utility easements. For example, the relay modules 14may be attached to a tree or shrub or attached to a man-made structure,such as a building, wall, pipe, bridge, or other object. The relaymodules 14 may also be mounted on a stake, pole, or other instrumentthat is supported in the ground at any desirable location. By placing astake or pole where needed, the relay modules 14 can be positioned inlocations that are near the transmitting meters 16 while at the sametime being out of the way of pedestrians or out of sight from casualobservers.

The relay modules 14 may be configured to simply receive meter data fromthe meters 16 and relay the data to the utility provider 12, via otherrelay modules 14 as needed. Some relay modules 14 may be configured toalso provide metering functions. However, according to manyimplementations of the present disclosure, the relay modules 14 do notcontain any metering functions, but simply are configured to relay themeter data. Other implementations include the relaying of other types ofdata, including data that is not related to meter data, includingimplementations that combine such data with meter data andimplementations that do not include any meter data.

The relay modules 14 or the collector units of the utility provider 12may be configured to poll the meters 16 at certain times of the day ormonth to obtain the meter information from the respective sets of themeters 16. Also, communication with other relay modules 14 and theutility provider 12 may be scheduled at specific times to avoid the needto transmit and receive a large number of signals within a smalltimeframe.

Where materials are chosen for the elements of thisassembly—particularly, plastics or metals—similar material choices mayalso be used and would be obvious to one of ordinary skill in the art.In one embodiment, the mast 52 and the radio housing 27 are plastic; themounting bracket 51, upper spring insert 32, outer hex spring fastener62, inner hex fastener 63, and jam nut 54 are stainless steel; and thespring 28 is a high-carbon steel. However, these components may be madeof different materials or combinations of materials in otherembodiments. Furthermore, some embodiments include masts with nocavities, antennas located outside the cavities, and embodiments withouta mast wherein an antenna itself also serves as a marker.

One should note that conditional language, such as, among others, “can,”“could,” “might,” or “may,” unless specifically stated otherwise, orotherwise understood within the context as used, is generally intendedto convey that certain embodiments include, while other embodiments donot include, certain features, elements and/or steps. Thus, suchconditional language is not generally intended to imply that features,elements and/or steps are in any way required for one or more particularembodiments or that one or more particular embodiments necessarilyinclude logic for deciding, with or without user input or prompting,whether these features, elements and/or steps are included or are to beperformed in any particular embodiment.

It should be emphasized that the above-described embodiments are merelypossible examples of implementations, merely set forth for a clearunderstanding of the principles of the present disclosure. Any processdescriptions or blocks in flow diagrams should be understood asrepresenting modules, segments, or portions of code which include one ormore executable instructions for implementing specific logical functionsor steps in the process, and alternate implementations are included inwhich functions may not be included or executed at all, may be executedout of order from that shown or discussed, including substantiallyconcurrently or in reverse order, depending on the functionalityinvolved, as would be understood by those reasonably skilled in the artof the present disclosure. Many variations and modifications may be madeto the above-described embodiment(s) without departing substantiallyfrom the spirit and principles of the present disclosure. Further, thescope of the present disclosure is intended to cover any and allcombinations and sub-combinations of all elements, features, and aspectsdiscussed above. All such modifications and variations are intended tobe included herein within the scope of the present disclosure, and allpossible claims to individual aspects or combinations of elements orsteps are intended to be supported by the present disclosure.

1. A relay module comprising: a mast having an inner surface and anouter surface, the inner surface defining a cavity; an antenna disposedwithin the cavity; and a mounting device coupled to the mast andengageable with a utility structure.
 2. The relay module of claim 1,wherein the mast is movable relative to the mounting device.
 3. Therelay module of claim 1, further comprising a spring coupling themounting device to the mast.
 4. The relay module of claim 3, wherein thespring includes an upper section, a middle section, and a lower section,the middle section having a diameter larger than the upper section, theupper section having a diameter equal to the middle section.
 5. Therelay module of claim 3, further comprising an RF connector disposedwithin the spring and connected to the antenna.
 6. The relay module ofclaim 1, wherein the mounting device is a mounting bracket.
 7. The relaymodule of claim 6, wherein the mounting bracket includes a fastenerhole.
 8. The relay module of claim 1, further comprising a radio housingcoupled to the mounting device.
 9. The relay module of claim 8, whereinthe radio housing includes at least one battery.
 10. The relay module ofclaim 8, wherein the radio housing includes a circuit board.
 11. Therelay module of claim 1, wherein the utility structure is a firehydrant.
 12. The relay module of claim 11, wherein the mast is a hydrantmarker.
 13. The relay module of claim 11, wherein: the fire hydrantincludes a bonnet and a hydrant body, the bonnet coupled to the hydrantbody by a plurality of fasteners; and the mounting device is engageablewith the fire hydrant by a fastener of the plurality of fasteners. 14.The relay module of claim 13, wherein: the plurality of fastenersincludes nuts and bolts; and the mounting bracket includes a fastenerhole sized to accept a bolt of the plurality of fasteners.
 15. A relaymodule system comprising: a utility structure; a mast having an innersurface and an outer surface, the inner surface defining a cavity; an RFcircuit including an antenna, the antenna disposed within the cavity ofthe mast; and a mounting device fastening the mast to the utilitystructure.
 16. The relay module system of claim 15, wherein the utilitystructure is a fire hydrant, the fire hydrant including a bonnet and ahydrant body, the bonnet coupled to the hydrant body by a plurality offasteners.
 17. The relay module system of claim 16, wherein the mountingdevice is fastened to the fire hydrant by a mounting bracket, themounting bracket engaging one fastener of the plurality of fasteners.18. The relay module system of claim 15, wherein the mast is a hydrantmarker.
 19. The relay module system of claim 15, further comprising aspring coupling the mast to the mounting device.
 20. The relay modulesystem of claim 15, further comprising a radio housing coupled to themounting device, wherein the RF circuit includes a circuit board and atleast one battery, the radio housing containing the circuit board andthe at least one battery of the RF circuit.